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REPORT

FATFREE
USER MANUAL

REPORT NO. 2003-0511


REVISION NO. 02

DET NORSKE VERITAS

DET NORSKE VERITAS

REPORT
Date of first issue:

Project No.:

DET NORSKE VERITAS AS

26 March 2003

75010361

Approved by:

Organisational unit:

Region Nordic Countries


Deepwater Technology &
Technology Qualification
Veritasveien 1
1322 Hvik
Norway
Tel: +47 67 57 99 00
Fax: +47 67 57 99 11
http://www.dnv.com
Org. No: NO 945 748 931 MVA

TNCNO714 / Pipelines
Dines Haslund
Head of Section
Client:

Client ref.:

Summary:

FATFREE is a Microsoft Excel VBA spreadsheet developed by DNV for design and (re-) assessment
of submarine pipeline spans in compliance with DNV-RP-F105 Free Spanning Pipelines, issued
March 2002. FATFREE calculates the fatigue life capacity due to
x Combined direct wave action and in-line Vortex Induced Vibrations (VIV)
x Cross-Flow VIV
In addition, simplified ULS design checks in terms of peak stress and equivalent stress due to
combined static and dynamic actions are provided.
The objective of this User Manual is to provide a brief introduction on how to use the FATFREE ver.
10 program. As compared to the previous versions of FATFREE, the present version 10 includes
multi-mode options, where the combined effect of higher order modes can be taken into account,
which is relevant for both very long free spans and interacting multispans.

Report No.:

Subject Group:

2003-0511

Indexing terms

Report title:

FATFREE U

SER MANUAL

Pipeline
Free Spans
VIV
Fatigue

Work carried out by:

Olav Fyrileiv & Muthu Chezhian

No distribution without permission from the


Client or responsible organisational unit

Work verified by:

Kim Mrk & Olav Fyrileiv

Limited distribution within


Det Norske Veritas

Date of this revision:

Rev. No.:

Number of pages:

2007-09-14

02

29

Unrestricted distribution

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Report No: 2003-0511, rev. 02
FATFREE USER MANUAL

Table of Content

Page

1
1.1
1.2

INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 1
General
1
Scope and Organisation of the Manual
1

2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5

GETTING STARTED ................................................................................................. 3


Starting FATFREE
3
User Interface
3
Calculations
4
Simple Use of FatFree
4
Getting Help
5

3
3.1
3.2
3.2.1
3.2.2
3.2.3
3.2.4
3.3
3.3.1
3.3.2
3.4

FEATURES OF FATFREE ......................................................................................... 6


General
6
MAIN sheet input
6
Structural modelling
7
Span, structural response, damping and soil stiffness data
9
SN Curves and Safety Factors
11
Calculation Options and Environmental Modelling
12
Environmental Data
15
Current Data
15
Wave Data
17
Calculation Options
19

4
4.1
4.2
4.3

VIEWING RESULTS................................................................................................ 21
Numerical Results
21
Graphical Results
21
Printing Results
22

5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4

MULTI-MODE ANALYSIS ..................................................................................... 23


General
23
Multi-mode worksheet description
23
Single location analysis / Response data
23
Direct mode shape input / Response data
25

6
6.1
6.2

ADVANCED USE ASSESSMENT OF SEVERAL SPANS................................. 27


Multiple Span Runs for Response DatazUser Defined
27
Multiple Span Runs for Response Data=User Defined
28

REFERENCES........................................................................................................... 29
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FATFREE USER MANUAL

OWNERSHIP
The FATFREE program and documentation are copyrighted materials. No part of this material
may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or manual for any
purpose, without the written permission of DNV.
DISCLAIMER
FATFREE has been thoroughly validated and verified. However no warranty, expressed or
implied, is made by Det Norske Veritas, as to the accuracy or functionality of the program, and
no responsibility is assumed in connection therewith.

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1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 General
FATFREE is a Microsoft Excel VBA spreadsheet developed by DNV for design and (re-)
assessment of submarine pipeline spans in compliance with DNV-RP-F105 Free Spanning
Pipelines, issued February 2006. FATFREE calculates the fatigue life due to:
x Combined direct wave action and in-line Vortex Induced Vibrations (VIV)
x Cross-Flow VIV based on environmental description, i.e. directional long term distribution
for current and wave (in terms of height and period)
x Free span Scenario (water depth, span geometry, soil conditions, etc.)
x Pipe Characteristics (material, geometry, SN-curve, etc.)
x Natural frequency and mode shape from FE-analyses or simplified beam theory expressions.
In addition, simplified ULS design checks in terms of peak stress and equivalent stress due to
combined static and dynamic actions are provided.

1.2

Scope and Organisation of the Manual

The User Manual is intended to provide the user with a guide to operate the program. More
details of pipeline free-span analysis are provided in the DNV-RP-F105, /1/ and the FATFREE
Verification Document, /5/. Further, FATFREE contains a comprehensive list of comments
describing the various parameters entering the analysis.

Figure 1 Documentation of FATFREE.

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This manual is organised as follows:


Chapter 2 describes briefly how to get started with FATFREE.
Chapter 3 describes the features/options of FATFREE.
Chapter 4 describes how to interpret the results.
Chapter 5 describes the multi-mode features, applicable for very long free spans.
Chapter 6 describes advanced use of FATFREE.
This document is named User Manual.pdf and should be located in the directory given in the
plots sheet of FATFREE, to be accessible from the "User Help" button in FATFREE.

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2 GETTING STARTED
2.1

Starting FATFREE

To start FATFREE open the Microsoft Excel book FATFREE. When starting the spreadsheet, the
user will be prompted for a password, which is required to enter the program. Note that the
password is case sensitive.
If the Excel program in the user's PC, is set to "Macro Virus Protection", then the following
message appears:

Figure 2 Message due to Macro settings in Excel


Click on the "Enable Macros" button to continue.
Since FATFREE is a Microsoft Excel VBA spreadsheet it can be started from both the CD or
from a copy on the hard disc. However, the modified spreadsheet with new input and updated
results should be regularly saved on the hard disc to store the data and ensure that a backup
exists if the program/computer crashes.
If the user license has expired, entrance into the program is still possible to view old calculation
results, however no recalculations are possible.
Please contact the program responsible to update the user licence or password.

2.2 User Interface


FATFREE is a Microsoft Excel Visual Basic (VBA) program. Hence, it is based on Excel and the
user interface is the same as in a typical Excel spreadsheet with direct input into cells, push
buttons and pull-down menus.
The program has been designed so that the majority of the input and results are located on the
"MAIN" sheet, see Figure 3. The user can see all the necessary information from this sheet
without navigating between many windows. There are three kinds of sheets available within
FATFREE.
x MAIN sheet - contains all the important input and output except the environmental data
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x
x

Multi-mode sheet contains information about potentially activated higher order modes
Environmental Data sheets (Wave and Current) - containing the wave and current data (may
have several sheets, one pair for each environmental zone)
x Plots sheet contains results for graphical presentation and (user defined) default settings.
x Span Runs - to run several span cases at one time (these sheets are created when the Span
Runs button on the "MAIN" sheet is pushed for the first time).
The user can copy the Environmental Data sheets and the " Span Runs" sheets but the program
can only operate with a single "MAIN" sheet.
Error! Objects cannot be created from editing field codes.

Figure 3 MAIN Sheet


The sheets have been designed so that the user can modify input cells only. This is to prevent
corruption of the input data, formulae and the routines. Cells with input access are white,
whereas cells that do not allow user access are coloured. Some of the cells change access rights
according to specific selections. This occurs when some of the User Options have been changed.

2.3 Calculations
All the calculation routines in the program are initiated using the two buttons on the MAIN
sheet:

"UPDATE SHEET" updates the intermediate results in the MAIN sheet (e.g. all the pipe crosssectional data at the bottom of the sheet, the structural response results etc.), the plot sheet and
the Environmental Data sheets.
To update all results including fatigue and peak/von Mises stresses, the "CALCULATE" button
has to be pushed/clicked. Note that these calculations can be time consuming, since the fatigue
damage for several seastates may have to be calculated.
To run the routines click on the buttons or alternatively use the ALT key and the character
underlined on the button. For example the "CALCULATE" routine can be initiated by pressing
ALT + C.

2.4 Simple Use of FatFree


The procedure to follow when assessing a single span under single mode vibration is briefly
described below:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Perform the Structural Modelling - give pipe and operational data


Push the "UPDATE SHEET" button to check the intermediate results
Describe the Free Span Scenario - give the span length, water depth etc.
Choose the Analysis level in Calculation Options
Give the Response Data, Damping, SN-curve and Safety Factors by using pull-down menus
or giving input values.
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6. Define the environmental conditions in terms of long-term wave and current distributions on
the wave and current sheets:
a) Copy the template sheets "Wave-template" and "Current-template" to properly named
wave and current sheets (optional but recommended)
b) Delete the input tables not relevant in the wave and current sheets (optional)
c) Enter the relevant wave and current data
d) Specify the wave and current sheets under environmental data, select the correct wave
and current modelling and directionality options
7. Push on the "CALCULATE" button
The results are now presented on the MAIN sheet in terms of fatigue lives, for in-line and crossflow, and extreme stresses due to functional and environmental loading.

2.5 Getting Help


Comments are provided in many of the cells to give further guidance to the user. The comments
give additional definitions and references to the DNV- RP-F105. Comments are identified by a
small red triangle in the top right-hand corner of the cell and are viewed by pointing at the cell.
If no comments are visible then the options in Excel have not been set-up correctly. To view the
comments go to the "Tools" menu and select "Options". On the "View" tab, select "Comment
Indicator Only".

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3 FEATURES OF FATFREE
3.1 General
The main structure of the MAIN sheet of FATFREE is described in the figure below.
Heading area

Calculation options

Graphical Results area

Span & Soil data

SN curve & Safety factors

Structural modelling area

Main Results area

Figure 4 MAIN Sheet Structure

3.2 MAIN sheet input


The following describes the basic use of FATFREE where most of the input is specified on the
MAIN sheet.

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3.2.1 Structural modelling


The user should enter all the pipe details into the structural modelling section, see figure below.

The following input is to be given under structural modelling:


Coating data
kc
Concrete stiffness factor. (Empirical constant for concrete stiffening)
fcn

Construction strength of concrete coating in MPa

Functional loads
Hres

Residual lay tension (effective axial force at seabed)

Internal pressure at spanning pipe (normally the operational pressure)

'T

Temperature change relative to ambient temperature during installation

Pipe dimensions
The steel outer diameter plus thickness of steel wall, concrete coating and corrosion coating are
specified.
Constants
Poisson's number, temperature expansion coefficient and Young's modulus. In addition a drag
coefficient, CD, for steady flow is given to specify the cross-flow amplification in von Mises
stress.
Densities
Densities for steel, concrete, corrosion coating and content are specified.
In case more than two layers of coating is applied, the density of the coating shall be adjusted to
give the correct weight of the pipeline.

By pushing the "UPDATE SHEET" or "CALCULATE" buttons, all the structural modelling
results will be updated. These intermediate results appear in the plots worksheet and they are
described in the subsequent section.

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Figure 5 Structural modelling intermediate results from Plots worksheet


Static stress
The hoop stress, axial stress and bending stresses in the in-line and cross-flow direction are
reported. Note that no corrosion allowance is accounted for. The bending stresses are determined
from the given span length and boundary conditions accounting for bending due to self weight
(cross-flow) and 100 year current (in-line).
Transfer Values
EIsteel

Bending stiffness of the steel pipe.

me

Effective (dynamic) mass, incl. structural mass, added mass and mass of content.

Submerged weight.

Seff

Effective axial force used in estimate of natural frequencies and span deflections.
Conservatively, the effective axial force is calculated as for a fully restrained
pipe.

Ca

Added mass coefficient, depends on the spanning scenario and the span gap.

CSF

Bending stiffness contribution from concrete and coating given as percent of


EIsteel

Us/U

Specific mass ratio between the pipe mass (not including added mass) and the
displaced water

Areas
The different cross-sectional areas of the pipe (internal area, steel wall area, corrosion coating
area, concrete coating area and the external area) are listed.
Note:
x Different phases of the pipeline may be simulated by changing the density of the content, the
internal pressure and the temperature in the pipeline.
x The effective axial force is a very important parameter in the free span assessment. The
assumption of a fully axially restrained pipeline can lead to over-conservative results. Based
on experience and engineering judgement the effective axial force may be partly released by
for example by increasing the lay tension or reducing the temperature. The effective axial
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force is not relevant when the Response Data is set as User Defined, where both the natural
frequencies and the associated stress ranges are determined by FE analysis.

3.2.2 Span, structural response, damping and soil stiffness data

Figure 6 Screen printout from Main Sheet for Free Span Scenario, response data, damping
and stiffness
The span and soil data is divided into three areas:
x Free Span Scenario.
Describing the actual free span
x Response Data
Characterising the natural frequencies and stresses for the span
x Soil properties
Describing the damping characteristics and the soil stiffness for
various types of soil
Free Span Scenario
A pull down menu allows the choice between:
x Pipe in trench. Typical for spans caused by scouring with some sort of trench underneath
the pipeline
x Flat sea-bed. No trench underneath pipeline. Note, not in contrast to an uneven seabed
The following parameters are to be given:
h [m]
L [m]
e [m]
d [m]
Tpipe

water depth
Span length
gap between pipeline and seabed
depth of trench taken 3 outer pipe diameters away from pipe centreline
direction of pipeline relative to geographic North

In addition the outer diameter, D, and the span length over pipe outer diameter ratio, L/D, are
calculated and listed.
Response Data
A pull down menu allow the user to choose the following boundary conditions:
x User Defined
all values specified by the user
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x
x
x
x
x
x

RP-F105 Span
GL Span (sand)
GL Span (clay/rock)
pinned/pinned
pinned/fixed
fixed/fixed

recommendations according to DNV-RP-F105


recommendations according to GL14 on sandy seabed
recommendations according to GL14 on clay/rock seabed
classical pinned/pinned boundary condition
classical pinned/fixed boundary condition
classical fixed/fixed boundary condition

When the response data is set as RP-F105 span or as GL span, the fatigue criterion is based on
definition of the free span scenario with beam theory based estimates of frequencies and mode
shapes. No input is required except for the "User defined" case.
The option "User Defined", implies use of values based on FE-analyses. The response data is
provided by finite element analysis or similar methods or measurements. For discussion and
details see Fyrileiv and Mrk, /6,7/.
If the Calculation Options is set as Multi-mode, the User Defined data needs to be input
from the Multi-mode worksheet. More information on the Multi-mode option is presented in
the section 5.
The parameters in the Response Data section are described below:
fo(in-line)
fo(cr-flow)
Ain(in-line)
Acr(cr-flow)
Omax [Mpa]
GD
Seff/PE

Natural frequency in the in-line direction


Natural frequency in the cross-flow direction
Maximum stress amplitude associated with the in-line mode shape given a
maximum deflection of one pipe outer diameter, 1D.
Maximum stress amplitude associated with the cross-flow mode shape
given a maximum deflection of one pipe outer diameter, 1D.
Equivalent stress amplitude used in the force model.
Normalised static deflection of pipe at midspan
Normalised effective axial force (with Euler buckling load). Truncated at
a compression level defined in worksheet (plots).

Soil Properties
The user selects the soil type specific to the region through which the soil damping parameters
and soil stiffness are automatically updated. The following choices are available:
x User Defined
x Sand - Loose
x Sand - Medium
x Sand - Dense
x Clay - Very soft
x Clay - Soft
x Clay - Firm
x Clay - Stiff
x Clay - Very stiff
x Clay - Hard
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Damping
The soil damping parameters are defined according to the soil type and the length/diameter ratio,
see the DNV-RP-F105 for further information. The hydrodynamic damping parameters are also
computed automatically. The structural damping is always set by the user.
The following parameters are set:
Structural damping
]struc
]soil (in-line) Soil damping, in-line (input required only for User Defined case)
]soil (cr-flow) Soil damping, cross-flow (input required only for User Defined case)
Hydrodynamic damping (normally taken as zero (0)), as this should not
]h,RM
be included in the VIV response.
Soil Stiffness
The following parameters are set based on the choice of the soil stiffness type:
Vertical dynamic soil stiffness
KV
Lateral (horizontal) dynamic soil stiffness
KL
Vertical static soil stiffness
KV,S

3.2.3 SN Curves and Safety Factors


SN Curves
A pull down menu allows the choice between:
x User Defined
x D (air)
x E (air)
x F (air)
x F1 (air)
x D (seawater cp)
x E (seawater cp)
x F1 (seawater cp)
x F3 (seawater cp)
x D (free corrosion)
x E (free corrosion)
x F1 (free corrosion)
x F3 (free corrosion)
x DIN 2413
x F2 (CN 30.4)
The following parameters can be given:

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m1
m2
Log(C1)
logNsw
S0 [MPa]
SCF

Inverse slope of SN curve for N < Nsw


Inverse slope of SN curve for N > Nsw
Fatigue constant, intercept of logN curve with SN curve with slope m1
Point at logN axis where SN curve change slope from m1 to m2, =6 for
seawater with cathodic protection, =7 for air, =8 for single slope curves
Cut-off stress range, normally = 0, i.e. not applicable.
Stress concentration factors, included in the F-curves

Safety Factors
Safety factors are specified according to the pipeline class. A pull down menu allows the choice
between:
x User Defined
x RP-F105 LOW
x RP-F105 NORMAL
x RP-F105 HIGH
x GL14 LOW
x GL14 NORMAL
x GL14 HIGH
x DNV'81
The safety factors are set automatically unless the user selects the User Defined option. Note
that the correction factor on stress range, <R is set by the Free-span Scenario". The safety
factors should be chosen consistently with the Cross-Flow response model and code options.
Well defined span
In the same column as "Safety Factors", there is a tick-box for choosing a well defined span. By
ticking on the "Well defined span", the safety factors are reset as per Table 2-2 of RP-F105 /1/,
i.e. when the span is assessed in service with updated and measured span data, the safety factors
specified in brackets of Table 2-2 are used.

3.2.4 Calculation Options and Environmental Modelling


Several calculation options and possibilities for specifying the environmental conditions exist in
FATFREE. Specific choices in the pull-down menus are described below.

Figure 7 Screen shot from Main sheet for Calculation Options and Environmental
Modelling
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Calculation Options:
FATFREE offers two possibilities to perform free span analysis. The first one is the Singlemode option which is sufficient for small to moderately long spans. Typically, for spans with
length to diameter (L/D) ratio less than, it would be sufficient to do a Single-mode analysis.
For cases of very long spans exposed to high current velocities for long duration, the multi-mode
behaviour for in-line, cross-flow and cross-flow induced in-line needs to be taken into account.
Typically, when the span lengths are very long, i.e. when the L/D ratio exceeds 140, the Multimode option should be used. More information about higher modes can be found in /8/.
Code:
FATFREE only permits the use of RP-F105 as choice of design code.
x RP-F105
complies fully with RP-F105
Return Period Values:
A pull down menu allows the choice between:
x Automatic Generated return period values (1, 10 and 100 year) generated from wave and
current distributions
x User Defined
specified in the "wave-template" and "current-template" sheets
Current Modelling:
A pull down menu allows the current distribution to be defined as:
x Uc Weibull pdf a 3- parameter Weibull distribution defined by the 3 parameters
x Uc pdf - RPV
a Weibull distribution estimated from 1, 10 and 100year return period
values
x Uc histogram
a series of discrete values/measurements
Note that it is not recommended to use the return period values "Uc pdf - RPV" option as the
distribution is fitted to extreme values located in the tail of the distribution. Hence, the fitted
distribution may become unphysical. Use of this option must be based on experience and
engineering judgement.
Current Sheet Name:
Different current sheets can be defined within the same workbook. Thus, all free span
assessment for a whole pipeline may be made within the same workbook. Let us consider that
there 5 different current zones for which environmental data is available. Each of them is
specified in a separate current sheet and given an appropriate name. The applicable current zone
worksheet name is specified in the Current Sheet Name field, in the Main sheet.
The environmental modelling is described in the section 3.3.

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Wave Modelling:
The Wave modelling option is applicable for the internal DNV version and STATOIL version
only.

Figure 8 Wave modelling and Wave sheet name (Screenshot from Main Sheet)
A pull down menu allows the wave distribution to be defined as:
x Deepwater
No waves
x Hs Weibull pdf a 3- parameter Weibull distribution defined by the 3 parameters
x Hs pdf - RPV
a Weibull distribution estimated from 1, 10 and 100y return period values
x Hs histogram
a series of discrete values/measurements
x Scatter Hs - Tp a scatter diagram giving joint probability of discrete Hs, Tp values.
Note that it is not recommended to use the return period values "Hs pdf - RPV" option as the
distribution is fitted to extreme values located in the tail of the distribution. Hence, the fitted
distribution may become unphysical. Use of this option must be based on experience and
engineering judgement.
Wave Sheet Name:
Different wave sheets can be defined within the same workbook. Thus, all free span assessment
for a whole pipeline may be made within the same workbook. Let us consider that there 5
different wave zone for which environmental data is available. Each of them is specified in a
separate wave sheet and given an appropriate name. The applicable wave zone worksheet name
is specified in the Wave Sheet Name field, in the Main sheet.
The environmental modelling is described in the section 3.3.
Directionality:
A basic and conservative assumption made in FATFREE is that wave-induced flow and current
are co-linear, i.e. they act in the same direction. A pull down menu allows the choice between
different ways of defining the probability of occurrence:
x Omni-directional all directions have the same probability of occurrence and omnidirectional data is used.
x Discrete - W dir. given as the discrete occurrence data for waves (wave dominated fatigue)

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x

Discrete - C dir. given as the discrete occurrence data for current (current dominated
fatigue)

The number of discrete directions for wave/current is specified in the "Wave-template"/"Currenttemplate" sheets respectively. Consider a case, when "Uc Weibull pdf" is used for current
modelling in conjunction with the "Discrete-C dir" option in "Directionality". Let the number of
discrete directions be 2 and this is to be specified in "Current -template" sheet. In this case, the
data specified in the 2 rows following "Omni" under the identification header "Uc Weibull pdf"
in Current-template are used in the calculations. Similarly, consider a case when "Hs Histogram"
is used in wave modelling and "Discrete -W dir" option is used in "Directionality". Let the
number of discrete directions be 3, then the data specified in the 3 columns adjacent to the
"Omni" under identification header "Hs Histogram" of Wave-template are used in calculations.

3.3 Environmental Data


The environmental information is defined in the form of long term probability distributions for
the current and the waves. The information can be given as
x Directional Data with a given sector probability
x Omni-directional data, i.e. all directions are equally probable.
Note that the sum of sector probability must add up to 1.00. This information is stored in the
wave and current sheets. The actual wave and current sheets used in the free span assessment is
those listed under "Environmental Data" in the MAIN sheet. This allows several wave and
current sheets to be defined in the same Excel book, however, only one pair of wave and current
sheets are active.
Also note that only one set of current and waves is specified in each calculation. If different sets
are to be used, the user should either save/print the Main sheet results in between each
selection/calculation.
In order to generate a new environment, it is recommended to copy an existing Environmental
Data sheet (e.g. Wave-Template or Current-Template) and amend the values accordingly.

3.3.1 Current Data


Some general current data have to be specified:
Turbulence intensity; Ic
Measurement ref. Height; zr [m]

Factor as specified in RP-F105


Height above seabed where the current measurements where
made (regardless on how the current distribution is specified)
On-bottom roughness, z0 [m]
Factor depending on the type of seabed, see RP-F105
Number of discrete directions
No of directions in case current distribution for different
directions are specified
Number of discrete current measurements (max 20) No of measurements in case a discrete current measurement is
used to specify the long-term distribution
Time between independent current events [hour]
For the extreme value calculation, normally taken as 24 hours

In addition the user may specify the extreme (1, 10 and 100 year) values to be used in the ULS
design check (instead of the extreme values calculated from the long-term distribution).
Now the current distribution may be given by:
x Weibull pdf
- a 3- parameter Weibull distribution defined by the 3 parameters
Page 15
Reference to part of this report which may lead to misinterpretation is not permissible.
1 October 2007, p/fatfree user manual - ver 2.0 .doc

DET NORSKE VERITAS


Report No: 2003-0511, rev. 02
FATFREE USER MANUAL
x
x

Uc pdf - RPV
values
Uc histogram

- a Weibull distribution estimated from 1, 10 and 100y return period


- a series of discrete values/measurements

Weibull pdf:
Identification header: do not change name or location to subsequent data

Uc Weibull pdf

Direction
Sector
Weibull parameters
relative to probability
F(x)=1-exp(-((x-J)/D)^E)
Shape (E) Scale (D) Location (J)
geographic N
Omni
1
2.180
0.199
0.082
0
30
60
90

0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25

2.180
2.180
2.180
2.180

0.199
0.199
0.199
0.199

0.082
0.082
0.082
0.082

Statistics
mean
CoV
value
0.259
0.330

Return period (years)


1
10
100
(m/s)
(m/s)
(m/s)
0.53
0.60
0.67

0.259
0.259
0.258
0.259

0.48
0.48
0.48
0.48

0.330
0.330
0.330
0.330

0.56
0.56
0.56
0.56

0.63
0.63
0.63
0.63

Here the three Weibull parameters are given together with the sector probability of occurrence
for different directions (relative to geographic North). In order to check the specified data, some
key statistical data and the extreme values are presented.
Uc pdf - RPV:
Uc pdf - RPV

Identification header: do not change name or location to subsequent data

Direction
Sector
Weibull parameters
relative to probability
F(x)=1-exp(-((x-J)/D)^E)
Shape (E) Scale (D) Location (J)
geographic N
Omni
1
2.880
0.178
0.000
0
0.189
2.667
0.143
0.080
30
0.107
2.667
0.127
-0.020
60
0.06
1.942
0.098
-0.004
90
0.053
1.639
0.101
-0.001
120
0.067
1.587
0.115
0.000
150
0.128
2.083
0.149
-0.010
180
0.151
2.569
0.122
0.000
210
0.064
2.564
0.105
-0.015
240
0.031
1.887
0.078
-0.004
270
0.026
1.418
0.072
0.003
300
0.034
1.117
0.077
0.012
330
0.088
1.575
0.117
0.004

Statistics
mean
CoV
value
0.159
0.377
0.207
0.247
0.093
0.491
0.083
0.562
0.089
0.632
0.103
0.645
0.122
0.545
0.109
0.418
0.078
0.496
0.065
0.588
0.068
0.683
0.086
0.768
0.109
0.627

Return period (years)


1
10
100
(m/s)
(m/s)
(m/s)
0.33
0.37
0.40
0.33
0.37
0.40
0.19
0.23
0.26
0.17
0.23
0.28
0.19
0.28
0.35
0.24
0.34
0.42
0.27
0.35
0.40
0.21
0.25
0.28
0.15
0.19
0.22
0.12
0.17
0.22
0.13
0.21
0.28
0.19
0.33
0.46
0.26
0.36
0.45

calculated
100 year
rpv
0.403
0.283
-

Here the three extreme values for 1, 10 and 100 year return periods are given together with the
sector probability of occurrence for different directions (relative to geographic North). Omnidirectional data with a probability of 1.00 may also be used.
In order to check the specified data, mean value and CoV and the fitted Weibull parameters are
listed. In some cases a fit using all three extreme values is not possible. Then the 1 and 10 year
values are used, and the estimated 100 year value is listed (in the right column) to check the
deviation from the specified one. Normally all three extreme values are used, and a minus sign
("-") is given in the right column.
Note that care should be observed when using this way of specifying the long-term current
distribution as it may easily lead to unrealistic current distributions and erroneous fatigue results.

Page 16
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DET NORSKE VERITAS


Report No: 2003-0511, rev. 02
FATFREE USER MANUAL

Uc histogram:
Identification header: do not change name or location to subsequent data

Uc Histogram
current
velocity
0.0125
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
0.4
0.45
0.5
0.55
0.6
probability
mean value
1 year
10 year
100 year

omni
0.0329
0.2065
0.2835
0.2476
0.1452
0.0558
0.0179
0.0062
0.0025
0.0011
0.0005
0.0002
0.0001
1.000
0.129
0.425
0.575
0.625

30
0.003
0.0237
0.04
0.0333
0.0118
0.0017
0.0003
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.114
0.115
0.225
0.325
0.325

60
0.0029
0.025
0.051
0.0536
0.0299
0.0083
0.002
0.0004
0.0001
0
0
0
0
0.173
0.134
0.275
0.375
0.425

90
0.0027
0.0182
0.0247
0.0218
0.0154
0.009
0.0045
0.0023
0.001
0.0005
0.0002
0.0001
0
0.100
0.149
0.375
0.525
0.575

120
0.0025
0.0123
0.0128
0.0084
0.0064
0.0038
0.0022
0.001
0.0006
0.0003
0.0001
0.0001
0.0001
0.051
0.138
0.325
0.525
0.625

Direction relative to gepgraphic North


150
180
210
0.0024
0.0027
0.0026
0.0116
0.0132
0.0182
0.0102
0.014
0.0289
0.0066
0.0099
0.0286
0.0045
0.0055
0.0176
0.0024
0.0022
0.0055
0.0013
0.0009
0.0009
0.0005
0.0003
0.0001
0.0003
0.0002
0
0.0001
0
0
0.0001
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.040
0.049
0.102
0.123
0.116
0.130
0.275
0.275
0.275
0.425
0.375
0.325
0.525
0.425
0.375

240
0.0027
0.0225
0.0435
0.0511
0.0381
0.0163
0.0031
0.0007
0.0001
0
0
0
0
0.178
0.146
0.325
0.375
0.425

270
0.0028
0.0184
0.0232
0.0164
0.0093
0.0046
0.0022
0.0008
0.0003
0.0001
0
0
0
0.078
0.126
0.325
0.425
0.475

300
0.0029
0.0131
0.0094
0.0051
0.0025
0.0009
0.0004
0.0002
0.0001
0
0
0
0
0.035
0.097
0.225
0.375
0.425

330
0.0028
0.0133
0.0092
0.0046
0.0017
0.0005
0.0001
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.032
0.087
0.175
0.275
0.325

360
0.003
0.017
0.0167
0.0081
0.0026
0.0007
0.0001
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.048
0.093
0.225
0.275
0.325

Here the probability of occurrence for different directions (relative to geographic North) and
current velocities are given. The probability of occurrence over all velocities and directions shall
sum up to 1.00.
The discrete measurements are sorted into sample bins with equal current velocity range. The bin
identification uses the peak current in that velocity range.
In order to check the specified data, some key statistical data and the extreme values are
presented.

3.3.2 Wave Data


Some general wave data have to be specified:
Peakedness parameter i Wave Spectrum
Wave Spreading Constant
Number of discrete directions
Number of discrete Hs values (<20)
Number of discrete Tp values (<20)
Time between independent sea-states [hour]

Factor as specified in RP-F105


Factor as specified in RP-F105
No of directions in case wave distribution for different directions
are specified
No of discrete Hs values used in case a scatter diagram is used to
specify the long-term distribution
No of discrete Tp values used in case a scatter diagram is used to
specify the long-term distribution
For the extreme value calculation, normally taken as 3 hours

In addition the user must specify the parameters for the peak period estimation in case the wave
distribution is made in terms of Hs only (not relevant for the Hs-Tp scatter diagrams)
Tp=c Hsn
factor, c (defalt = 7.5)
exponent, n (default=0.3)

7.5
0.3

Now the wave distribution may be given by:


x Hs Weibull pdf a 3- parameter Weibull distribution defined by the 3 parameters
Page 17
Reference to part of this report which may lead to misinterpretation is not permissible.
1 October 2007, p/fatfree user manual - ver 2.0 .doc

DET NORSKE VERITAS


Report No: 2003-0511, rev. 02
FATFREE USER MANUAL
x
x
x

Hs pdf - RPV
a Weibull distribution estimated from 1, 10 and 100y return period values
Hs histogram
a series of discrete values/measurements
Scatter Hs - Tp a scatter diagram giving joint probability of discrete Hs, Tp values.

Weibull pdf:
Identification header: do not change name or location to subsequent data

Hs Weibull pdf

Direction
Sector
Weibull parameters
relative to probability
F(x)=1-exp(-((x-J)/D)^E)
Shape (E) Scale (D) Location (J)
geographic N
Omni
1.00E+00
1.343
2.057
0.939
0
15
30
45
60
75

1.67E-01
1.67E-01
1.67E-01
1.67E-01
1.67E-01
1.67E-01

1.343
1.343
1.343
1.343
1.343
1.343

2.057
2.057
2.057
2.057
2.057
2.057

0.939
0.939
0.939
0.939
0.939
0.939

Statistics
mean
CoV
value
2.83
0.50

Return period (years)


1
10
100
(m)
(m)
(m)
10.60
12.60
14.50

2.83
2.83
2.83
2.83
2.83
2.83

8.25
8.25
8.25
8.25
8.25
8.25

0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50

10.43
10.43
10.43
10.43
10.43
10.43

12.45
12.45
12.45
12.45
12.45
12.45

Here the three Weibull parameters are given together with the sector probability of occurrence
for different directions (relative to geographic North). Omni-directional data with a probability
of 1.00 may also be used.
In order to check the specified data, some key statistical data and the extreme values are
presented.
Hs pdf - RPV:
Hs pdf - RPV

Identification header: do not change name or location to subsequent data

Direction
Sector
Weibull parameters
relative to probability
F(x)=1-exp(-((x-J)/D)^E)
Shape (E) Scale (D) Location (J)
geographic N
Omni
1.00E+00
1.250
2.088
0.621
0
1.89E-01
1.020
1.499
3.227
30
1.07E-01
1.111
1.051
2.584
60
6.00E-02
1.399
1.000
2.634
90
5.30E-02
1.361
1.164
3.439
120
6.70E-02
1.250
1.757
4.887
150
1.28E-01
1.399
1.849
3.546
180
1.51E-01
1.274
1.679
3.291
210
6.40E-02
1.379
1.620
4.610
240
3.10E-02
1.325
1.445
5.695
270
2.60E-02
1.266
1.498
6.115
300
3.40E-02
1.093
1.656
5.931
330
8.80E-02
1.070
1.825
4.823

Statistics
mean
CoV
value
2.565
0.610
4.71
0.31
3.59
0.25
3.55
0.19
4.51
0.18
6.52
0.20
5.23
0.23
4.85
0.25
6.09
0.18
7.03
0.14
7.51
0.15
7.53
0.19
6.60
0.25

Return period (years)


1
10
100
(m)
(m)
(m)
11.62
14.09
16.45
12.35
15.59
18.83
7.65
9.45
11.20
5.87
6.85
7.74
7.26
8.48
9.60
11.53
13.77
15.87
10.14
11.89
13.50
10.23
12.21
14.08
9.99
11.61
13.11
10.20
11.84
13.36
10.88
12.79
14.57
12.62
15.63
18.55
13.88
17.35
20.76

calculated
100 year
rpv

Here the three extreme values for 1, 10 and 100 year return periods are given together with the
sector probability of occurrence for different directions (relative to geographic North). Omnidirectional data with a probability of 1.00 may also be used., see comments given for Uc pdfRPV.

Page 18
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1 October 2007, p/fatfree user manual - ver 2.0 .doc

DET NORSKE VERITAS


Report No: 2003-0511, rev. 02
FATFREE USER MANUAL

Hs histogram:
Identification header: do not change name or location to subsequent data

Hs Histogram

Hs
0.50
2.00
4.00
6.00
8.00
10.00
12.00
probability
mean valuie
1 year
10 year
100 year

omni
0.1677
0.6123
0.1791
0.0322
0.0073
0.0013
0.0001
1.00
2.29
11.00
13.00
13.00

30
0.0144
0.0627
0.0181
0.0026
0
0
0
0.10
2.26
7.00
7.00
7.00

60
0.0129
0.069
0.029
0.0039
0.0003
0
0
0.12
2.49
7.00
9.00
9.00

90
0.01
0.0534
0.0255
0.0053
0.0015
0.0001
0
0.10
2.70
9.00
11.00
11.00

120
0.0119
0.0493
0.0187
0.0047
0.0018
0.0003
0.0001
0.09
2.61
11.00
13.00
13.00

Direction relative to geographic north


150
180
210
0.0267
0.0318
0.0053
0.105
0.0819
0.0095
0.0314
0.0113
0.0015
0.008
0.0016
0.0002
0.003
0.0004
0
0.0008
0.0001
0
0
0
0
0.17
0.13
0.02
2.45
1.88
1.75
11.00
9.00
5.00
11.00
11.00
7.00
11.00
11.00
7.00

240
0.0093
0.0267
0.0039
0.0006
0
0
0
0.04
1.91
7.00
7.00
7.00

270
0.0092
0.0353
0.0108
0.0018
0.0002
0
0
0.06
2.28
7.00
9.00
9.00

300
0.0083
0.0342
0.011
0.0018
0.0001
0
0
0.06
2.31
7.00
9.00
9.00

330
0.0113
0.0351
0.0076
0.0006
0
0
0
0.05
2.01
7.00
7.00
7.00

360
0.0167
0.0502
0.0104
0.0014
0
0
0
0.08
2.02
7.00
7.00
7.00

Here the probability of occurrence for different directions (relative to geographic North) and Hs
values are given. The probability of occurrence over all Hs and directions shall sum up to 1.00.
The discrete measurements are sorted into sample bins with equal Hs range. The bin
identification uses the mean Hs in that Hs range.
In order to check the specified data, some key statistical data and the extreme values are
presented.
Scatter diagram:
Identification header: do not change name or location to subsequent data

Scatter Hs-Tp
direction
sector probability
HS \Tp
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

3
1.5E-03
1.7E-04
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00

omni
1.00

E[Hs]
2.828

CoV
0.503

V
1.421

G
1.280

N
5.285

4
8.7E-03
3.8E-03
9.0E-05
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00

5
2.0E-02
2.6E-02
1.8E-03
4.0E-05
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00

6
2.6E-02
4.9E-02
1.1E-02
7.9E-04
2.0E-05
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00

7
2.4E-02
7.1E-02
2.9E-02
5.0E-03
4.3E-04
9.9E-06
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00

8
1.8E-02
7.3E-02
4.6E-02
1.5E-02
2.8E-03
2.6E-04
9.9E-06
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00

9
1.2E-02
6.0E-02
5.1E-02
2.5E-02
8.5E-03
1.7E-03
1.7E-04
9.9E-06
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00

Shape (E) Scale (D) Location (J Hs (1 year) Hs (10 year)Hs (100 year)
1.343
2.057
0.939
10.60
12.61
14.50
10
6.9E-03
4.1E-02
4.3E-02
2.8E-02
1.4E-02
4.9E-03
1.0E-03
1.3E-04
9.9E-06
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00

11
3.8E-03
2.6E-02
3.0E-02
2.3E-02
1.6E-02
7.8E-03
2.7E-03
6.4E-04
9.9E-05
9.9E-06
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00

12
2.1E-03
1.5E-02
1.8E-02
1.5E-02
1.2E-02
7.7E-03
3.8E-03
1.4E-03
3.7E-04
7.0E-05
9.9E-06
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00

13
1.1E-03
7.8E-03
9.8E-03
8.4E-03
7.1E-03
5.2E-03
3.2E-03
1.6E-03
6.5E-04
1.9E-04
4.0E-05
9.9E-06
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00

14
5.6E-04
4.0E-03
4.9E-03
4.1E-03
3.4E-03
2.6E-03
1.8E-03
1.1E-03
5.8E-04
2.4E-04
8.0E-05
2.0E-05
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00

15
2.8E-04
2.0E-03
2.3E-03
1.8E-03
1.4E-03
1.0E-03
7.1E-04
4.8E-04
2.9E-04
1.6E-04
7.0E-05
3.0E-05
9.9E-06
0.0E+00
0.0E+00

21
9.9E-06
5.0E-05
2.0E-05
9.9E-06
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00
0.0E+00

Here the probability of occurrence for different Hs - Tp values are given for each direction
separately or as omni-directional (as shown above). The probability of occurrence over all wave
heights (Hs) and wave periods (Tp) for each direction shall sum up to the total probability of
occurrence for waves in that direction.
In order to check the specified data, some key statistical data and the extreme values are
presented.

3.4 Calculation Options


The user can chose to modify the calculation control parameters, however this is not
recommended. Clicking on the "Options" button in the "MAIN" sheet will display the form
shown in Figure 9, below.

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Figure 9 Calculation Options


The following options are available:
x No. of Increments for Omni-directional Seastates: specifies the number of divisions between
0 and 90 for the omni-directional current and waves
x Limiting Wave Flow velocity: if the wave velocity is below this value then the wave effect is
ignored completely (current only applied)
x Current Integration Steps: specifies the number of steps the current distribution is divided
into (for numerical purposes)
x Limit value for effective axial force. C2.Seff/PE (-0.5)
x Limit value for L/D for approximate response quantities (140)
x Turn-off Screen Updating During Calculation: this will increase the calculation speed by not
constantly updating the screen during the calculation routine. Also available in the multiple
spans sheets
x Activate Limiting Wave Flow Velocity Option: activates the limiting wave velocity option
The recommended default values are shown in brackets.

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4 VIEWING RESULTS
4.1 Numerical Results
The fatigue damage is calculated and integrated over all seastates and the current distribution.
Fatigue life (including all the safety factors) is shown for the in-line response model, in-line
force model and the cross-flow response model. The design fatigue life for the in-line mode is a
combination of the response model and the force model.
Peak dynamic stresses are found from the extreme wave and current conditions. These values
can be used to check against the ultimate stress limits for the pipeline. Note that the stresses don't
contain any safety factors.

Figure 10 Results in the MAIN sheet.

Figure 11 Results in the plots sheet

4.2 Graphical Results


After completing the calculation, press F9 to update the graphs. The results are normalised with
the exception of the D-KC-VR chart. (D is the ratio of current velocity to total flow velocity, KC
is the Keulegan-Carpenter Number and VR the reduced velocity).
Damage distribution vs. direction
The Damage distribution vs. direction chart shows the contribution each direction relative to
geographic North has to the individual fatigue components i.e. in-line response model, in-line
force model, combined in-line fatigue life and cross-flow fatigue life.

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Pdf for omnidirectional current


The pdf for omni-directional current chart indicate the likelihood of cross-flow or in-line
motion occurring from the omni-directional current flow alone. The effect of waves can be
evaluated by adding the wave induced flow velocities to the long-term current pdf in the figure.
Safety factors have been included.
Damage Distribution vs Hs
The Damage distribution chart shows the contribution each significant wave height (averaged
over the wave periods) has to the individual fatigue components i.e. in-line response model, inline force model, combined in-line fatigue life and cross-flow fatigue life.
TheD-KC Chart
The D-KC chart shows how the flow parameters vary over each of the significant wave heights.

4.3 Printing Results


All the sheets have been set up to allow simple print-out of input and results. To print from the
"MAIN" sheet click on "Print Results". To print from the scatter diagram sheets the user should
use the Microsoft Excel print command (i.e. using the "File" menu and "Print" command).

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5 MULTI-MODE ANALYSIS
5.1 General
The theoretical background for the multi-mode analysis can be found in /8/. The software usage
is very identical for Multi-mode and Single-mode calculation options, only with a few
exceptions. Additional data such as frequencies, unit stress amplitudes are required for the
Multi-mode calculation option. These can be either computed based on the beam theory
estimates or can be provided as user defined input, based on FEM analyses. Options are also
available to specify the mode shapes and eigen frequencies for the higher order modes, and
FATFREE computes the fatigue damage along the entire span length and outputs the lowest
fatigue life location.

5.2 Multi-mode worksheet description

The Multi-mode worksheet is activated if the Calculation Option is set to Multi-mode in the
Main sheet.
Three different options are available, namely:
x Single location analysis
x Direct mode shape input
The Response Data field needs to be input, if the Response Data has been set as User
Defined in the Main sheet. If the Response Data is set as DNV-RP-F105 or DNV GL14, the
fields under Response Data section of Multi-mode sheet are automatically updated based on
simplified beam theory based estimates.

5.3 Single location analysis / Response data


As for the single mode case two distinct possibilities arise, which are elucidated in Table 1.

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Table 1 Single location analysis


Mode shape data option
in Multi-mode worksheet

Single location
analysis

Single location
analysis

Response Data option in


Main Sheet
 User defined (i.e. all
other options such a DNVRP-F105, GL14, pinnedpinned etc)

Response Data fields in


Multi-mode worksheet
x Based on simplified
beam theory. The unit
stress amplitude will
correspond to the
maximum unit stress
amplitude for each
mode.
x Fields automatically
updated.

= User defined

Based on FEM
analysis. The unit
stress amplitude for
each mode can be
given at specific
location along the free
span.
All fields need to be
input manually.

Comments
x
x

x
x

Conservative
approach.
The maximum
stresses occur at
different locations
along the length of the
span for each mode.
However they are
combined, assuming
that they are occurring
at the same location.
More accurate
analysis.
More runs may be
required to identify
the location of the
lowest fatigue life.

When the Response data  User Defined in the Main sheet, (i.e. Response data can be DNV-RPF105, GL14 etc) then the Response data fields will appear in green background as shown in
Figure 12, indicating that these fields are automatically updated.

Figure 12 Active fields in Multi-mode worksheet for Single Location analysis. Response
data  User Defined in the Main sheet.
When the Response data = User Defined in the Main sheet, then the Response data fields will
appear in white background as shown in Figure 13, indicating that these needs to be filled in
manually.

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Figure 13 Active fields in Multi-mode worksheet for Single Location analysis. Response
data=User Defined in the Main sheet.
The Single location analysis option can be used along with the Span Runs option discussed
in section 6.

5.4 Direct mode shape input / Response data


The mode shapes and eigen frequencies are given as input. FATFREE computes the fatigue
damage along the entire span length and outputs the lowest fatigue life location. The Response
Data needs to be set as User Defined in the Main sheet, to make use of this option.

Number of discrete points:


Specify the number of the discrete points at which the mode shape is defined.

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X- coordinate: Specify the x-coordinate (x-axis is defined along the span length) and the
dimensional value (in metres).
Y/Ymax coordinate: Defines the mode shape. The normalised value, i.e. the displacement (Y) at
the given X-coordinate, which is normalised by the maximum displacement (Ymax) needs to be
specified. Here Ymax is the maximum displacement over the entire span length for the given
mode shape.

Figure 14 Response data section for the Direct mode shape input
The Response Data section for the Direct mode shape input option is shown in Figure 14.
Only the eigen frequencies for the different mode shapes need to be specified as user input.
The Direct mode shape input option cannot be used along with the Span Runs option
discussed in section 6.

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6 ADVANCED USE ASSESSMENT OF SEVERAL SPAN CASES


6.1 General
This option is used to calculate several span cases in one run. Thus it can be used for screening
purposes, to perform sensitivity studies or just to analyse many separate spans in one run and
keep the input and results together in one data sheet.
Several span case analysis is available for both Single-mode and Multi-mode options. The
following rules apply when selecting the multiple span analysis:
Calculation
Option
Single-mode

Property
x
x

Multi-mode :
Single
Location
Analysis

Multi-mode :
Direct mode
shape input

Response Data can be "User-defined" implying FEM based input


(frequencies and unit stress amplitudes for different span cases.)
can be given in the Span Runs worksheet.
Response Data can be "RP-F105" implying beam based
formulation can be used for calculating frequencies and unit
stress amplitudes for different span cases.
Response Data can be "User-defined" implying FEM based input
(frequencies and unit stress amplitudes for different span cases.)
can be given in the Span Runs worksheet.
Response Data can be "RP-F105" implying beam based
formulation can be used for calculating frequencies and unit
stress amplitudes for different span cases.
Currently, the mode shape can be defined for only one span case
at a time. Therefore Span Runs option with different span
cases is not permitted.

Table 2 Span Runs: Possibilities and limitations


Some data, such as the environmental data, the SN curves and the safety class (factors), cannot
be varied during the several span case analyses. If for example, different environmental data are
to be specified, the different sets of spans with identical environmental data must be assessed
separately. After having calculated one set of data, the new environmental data have to be
specified on the main sheet and the next set of spans calculated.
In general all input, which varies from one span to the other and which is not given explicitly on
the "Span Runs" sheet, requires that separate data sets are prepared where this input is kept
constant. Then each data set may be stored on its own "Span Runs" sheet, and the relevant data
on the "MAIN" sheet is updated before each of these " Span Runs " sheets are
updated/calculated.

6.2 Span Runs for Response DatazUser Defined


To analyse many different span cases and vary more than just the span length the "Span Runs"
multiple span analysis button should be clicked on the Main sheet. A new sheet will be generated
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containing the information from the MAIN sheet listed along the first row. The information
refers to the first span to be analysed. If a "Span Runs" sheet has already been generated it will
be overwritten. To avoid loosing results, the old "Span Runs" worksheets should be renamed
before commencing with the several span case analyses.
To generate more spans the first row of data can be copied as many times as required. The data
can then be edited accordingly. Clicking the "CALCULATE" button will run the calculation for
all the spans, and the results printed onto the sheet.
The frequencies and unit stress amplitude are calculated based on the Response Data option set
in the Main sheet.
The user input made by pull down menus and push buttons on the MAIN sheet cannot be
changed from span to span on the sheet. It must be set on the MAIN sheet before the calculations
are initiated by the "CALCULATE" button.
To reduce the process time select the Turn off screen updating option.

6.3 Span Runs for Response Data=User Defined


The methodology is identical with section 6.2.The only difference is that the frequencies and unit
stress amplitude are provided as user input (based on FEM analyses), since the Response Data
option is set as User Defined in the Main sheet.

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REFERENCES

/1/

DNV-RP-F105, Free Spanning Pipelines , February 2006

/2/

DNV-OS-F101 Submarine Pipeline Systems, 2000

/3/

Classification Notes No. 30.5, Environmental Conditions and Environmental Loads,


Det Norske Veritas, March 2000

/4/

FATFREE Theory Manual, DNV Report No 2000-3061, Rev.03, June 2000.

/5/

FATFREE Verification Document, DNV Report No 2003-0512, Rev.01, April 2003.

/6/

Mrk, K.J., Fyrileiv, O., Verley, R., Bryndum, M. & Bruschi, R., "Introduction to the
DNV Guideline for Free Spanning Pipelines", OMAE 1998, Lisboa, July 6-.9, 1998

/7/

Fyrileiv, O. & Mrk, K.J., "Assessment of Free Spanning Pipelines using the DNV
Guideline for Free Spanning Pipelines", ISOPE'98, Montreal, Canada, May 24-29,
1998
Mrk, K.J., Fyrileiv, O., Chezhian, M., Nielsen, F.G., Sreide, T., Assessment of VIV
induced fatigue in long free spanning pipelines, OMAE 2003, 8th- 13th June 2003,
Cancun, Mexico.

/8/

- o0o -

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